The Librarian Spy

The Librarian Spy is a historical fiction novel that focuses on the bravery of two women in WWII and is a good pick for fans of Julia Kelly and Natasha Lester. The story pivots between Ava, a rare book librarian at the Library of Congress and Helene, a French housewife. Both women soon find themselves using their unique skills to aid the Resistance in France and Portugal.

The historical details in this story were a highlight for me - particularly the vivid descriptions of life in France during the Nazi occupation (not for the faint of heart) and the new-to-me perspective of life in Portugal (its food, culture, and setting). I also appreciated getting a view of what life was like in Portugal, a country that I now know was neutral for much of the war. 

The title is a bit misleading since the women aren't spies, but I liked that Elaine and Ava were both strong, capable, and resilient women. I felt more connected to Elaine's story and thought there could have been more definition between Ava and Elaine's voices. I was also disappointed that the connection between these two women wasn't made until quite late in the book.

But what Martin excelled at were the emotional aspects - one scene in particular

shocked me and had me reaching for a Kleenex. Could I have done without the romance? Yes, it felt contrived and unnecessary, but I'm sure other readers will enjoy the lightness it brings to a book that focuses on how evil humans can be to each other. 

I like that this book features strong women who made an impact in history. While not the page turner I expected, The Librarian Spy is a good pick for Historical Fiction fans because it balances action, drama and emotion within a story that shows the dark side of humanity and the power of individuals to make great change.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the publisher for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Madeline Martin

Genre: Historical Fiction

Type and Source: eBook from publisher via NetGalley

Publisher: Hanover Square Press

First Published: July 26, 2022

Book Description from GoodReads: From the New York Times bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London comes a moving new novel inspired by the true history of America’s library spies of World War II.

Ava thought her job as a librarian at the Library of Congress would mean a quiet, routine existence. But an unexpected offer from the US military has brought her to Lisbon with a new mission: posing as a librarian while working undercover as a spy gathering intelligence.

Meanwhile, in occupied France, Elaine has begun an apprenticeship at a printing press run by members of the Resistance. It’s a job usually reserved for men, but in the war, those rules have been forgotten. Yet she knows that the Nazis are searching for the press and its printer in order to silence them.

As the battle in Europe rages, Ava and Elaine find themselves connecting through coded messages and discovering hope in the face of war.